'That’s an insult to fried chicken’: Hong Jin-kyung’s diet sparks debate

Hong Jin-kyung / Captured from Hong's social media

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TV personality Hong Jin-kyung, 47, revealed her unusual eating habit that helps her stay slim.

On Sept. 17, Hong posted on her social media account, writing, “I must be the worst person in the world at eating chicken tenders,” along with a photo. The image showed Hong eating only the meat from chicken tenders, leaving the fried skin behind.

Her daughter jokingly responded, “That’s an insult to chicken,” drawing laughter. Netizens also chimed in with comments like, “No wonder she’s so thin, constant management is key,” “That’s how you don’t gain weight — there’s always a reason,” “Life is an endless choice between taste and health,” and “The crispy skin is the best part, so what’s the point?”

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Why chicken skin is unhealthy

Chicken itself is a low-fat, high-protein food, but nutrition varies by cut and cooking method. The skin, which Hong avoids, is the most calorie-dense part. Chicken skin contains about 450 kcal per 100 grams, more than four times the 110 kcal in lean meat, and carries around 40 grams of fat — accounting for 80 to 90 percent of the chicken’s total fat content.

It also contains saturated fat, which most people already consume in excess, raising the risk of cardiovascular disease. In addition, chicken skin absorbs most of the seasoning and salt during cooking, leading to high sodium intake.

Although chicken skin does provide collagen and unsaturated fat that can benefit joint health and skin elasticity, once it has been deep-fried, its calories, saturated fat, and even trans fats increase sharply, making it unsuitable for heart-healthy diets.

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How to eat chicken for health

For better health and weight management, it is best to focus on lean cuts such as skinless breast or thigh meat, which are high in protein and low in fat. Cooking methods like boiling, steaming or baking have reduced fat compared with frying. Even in soups or stews, removing the skin before cooking helps minimize the fat content.

Pairing chicken with vegetables and whole grains can provide satiety while balancing nutrition, experts say.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.